Session productive, but voters will have last say

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Second-year Democratic Gov. Brad Henry was the clear winner as the 2004 Oklahoma Legislature shut down after passing most of his major programs. <br/><br/>But voters will have the

Saturday, May 29th 2004, 3:13 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Second-year Democratic Gov. Brad Henry was the clear winner as the 2004 Oklahoma Legislature shut down after passing most of his major programs.

But voters will have the final say on a couple of key issues _ Henry's health care initiative and his plan to let pari-mutuel horse racing tracks operate the same electronic games now played only at American Indian casinos.

Also on the November ballot will be a lottery proposal geared toward raising funds for education. Henry pushed that plan through in his first year.

After adjournment, Henry gave the 2004 session an ``A'' grade, saying it was the most productive in recent memory.

It was capped Friday by final passage in the Senate of a tort reform package welcomed by medical groups but decried by Republicans as lacking adequate protection for business.

``I'm proud of the work we did to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma, particularly in the health care, job creation and education areas,'' Henry said.

Republican leaders did not share the assessment of Democrats. Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa, the Senate's GOP leader, gave the session a ``D'' grade.

Williamson said about the only accomplishment he was proud of was a bill asking voters to put in the Oklahoma Constitution a ban on gay marriage in the state.

Henry signed the bill, even though he had said it was not needed because state law already prohibited marriage by same-sex couples.

Other accomplishments listed by Henry included teacher pay and health insurance increases, targeted tax cuts for economic development and a landmark law banning store sales of the tablet form of pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in making illegal methamphetamine.

Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson, D-Lexington, said it was most productive session in his 26 years in the Legislature.

He credited Henry as the main reason. ``He has his feet on the ground now,'' Hobson said of the second-year governor. ``He has an agenda for this state.''

The centerpiece of Henry's program was his health care plan, which would be paid for by tobacco tax increases that must be approved by the people.

Henry signaled his desire to expand health care coverage to Oklahomans in an interview last November with The Associated Press.

His plan would raise about $200 million _ most of it from a net 55-cent-per-pack increase in the tax on cigarettes.

Much of the money would go toward providing health insurance to 100,000 uninsured Oklahomans. Other funds would be used to beef up the trauma care system and build a cancer research center.

The plan also includes significant income tax cuts for retirees and individuals who sell their Oklahoma property.

Henry said there will be a compelling reason for voters to pass the gaming bill _ saving the horse racing industry and its thousands of jobs. He says it will give the state regulation over Indian casinos for the first time.

The gaming and lottery proposals would raise millions of dollars for education, but stiff opposition is expected from anti-gambling forces.

One longtime gambling foe, Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City, is leaving the Legislature to lead opposition to the gaming plan.

It was the final session for more than 40 other House and Senate members who have served the 12-year limit established in a constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 1991.

That group included House Speaker Larry Adair, D-Stilwell, who said it felt good to be going out after such a productive session.

``I leave with a great deal of satisfaction,'' Adair said. ``We had a great session.''

Another term-limited lawmaker, Sen. Dick Wilkerson, D-Atwood, also could not recall a more productive session.

He said Hobson, Adair and Scott Meacham, the governor's finance director and top negotiator, deserve some of the credit.

But he said he marveled at Henry's ability to marshal support and get things done.

``In spite of the petty jealously that might be going around, this boy is a good governor,'' Wilkerson said. ``More things have happened under him than anybody I can remember.''

Henry said the public played a big part in passage of his agenda items, ``whether it's the small businessmen and medical providers who fought for my health care initiative or the law enforcement officers and victims' families who helped passed the meth bill.

``I think my agenda enjoyed widespread public support because we took on tough issues and offered innovative solutions to address Oklahoma's biggest problems.''